The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1887-07-09
THE GOVERNORS VIEW OF IT.
IFrom the st. Louis Republican.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo, July 5.-Speciai.-
Your correspondent saw Gov. Marmaduhe
this afternoon and asked him II he had aP-
proved the bills passed by the lale special SEES
sion of the legislature. He repile,. rs totlows:
Yes; | have approved all the bills passed by
the extra session, Including the ACT to regu-
late railroad corporations"
The reporter then said :-'FOr the last lew
days of the session it was rumOred that you
were prejudiced against the bill famiiiar!y
called the swamp angel and would probably
veto it."
To this the governor replied:-"l know no
sufficient reason for such rumor. 1t Is true
that | was frequently asked what ! thought OF
the different bills before the general assembly.
l always replied that In my opinion the eXecu-
tive has no more right TO NEEDLE Win the
work of the legislative branch of the govern
| mept, either Us to the methods or tile SUB
| stance of such work, than the legislative mas
to interfere with the strictly executive DUST
ness, and being occupied with other matters
| l had never had either of the bills under con-
sideration; that my official actions in this re-
gard indicated in a way that could not De
misunderstood, that in my opinion the Desl
interests of the masses OF The people required
! some strong but conservative legislative en-
actments for regulating railroad companies
that If the bill in question was OF that cnar
acter and contained good substantial! proVi'
sions, promising relief from the injuries com
planned of by shippers and other patrons o
our railroads all over the state, l would ap'
prove it with pleasure; but that II upon eA
animation I should conclude that 1t failed u
provide any substantial and practicable rene
from and protection against abuses, faithful
ness to those for whom l acted when L con
yeued the extra session, would require tnat
withhold my approval. l am GLAD 10 say tns
q careful examination of the substitute 10
! house bill No. o, as it finally passea DOL
!, houses OF the general assembly, satisnes IN
that it is an excellent measure, and goes
) long way toward perfec,lng the laws OF MIS-
, scuri touching railway corporations. DOuot
less 1t can AMI will be greatly improved.
I does NOT cover the whole ground, no one Oh
r can, The fact Is. it does not contain all u
, work of the present general assembly on Tn
7 subject. At the regular session and this cal
4 ed session. several bills affecting railroad
were passed which. while they did not a
tract special attention. are of the greatest 10
portance. Such as the act prohibiting u
consolidation of parallel or competing line
e the act prohibiting officers of a railroad con
pauy from furnishing materials or supplies
, the company whose business they manag
q and the act requiring a company TO proInpt
h furnish cars when demanded, orto maui INC
of Al individual or business concern LOT q Ii
e and reasonable compensation. None OF the
!; bills are perfect, and if they were, still I
laws on the general subject would not
d completed. TheIe is very much yet TO
j. done. Still I think one very important mi
L6I udS UtCu plOtluC ioAs
instances pretty severe penalties have be
n fixed for violation of the law, and a mea
l. provided which makes it possible for an
= jured party to seek redress for his I'M,
+. without involving himself in certain rul
The restraints and obligations placed up
:. the railroad companies are few, simple .
Is not severe, and they ought to be obeyed WI
out controversy. II not, It is to be de.il
=. that the railroad commissioners and OF
public officers. as we'll as the private citli
ne will vigorously enforce obedience, in my o
opinion a no more difficult task than the
I'd force iLent of any other Of our laws. A pro
confidence by the people and the ot1cers
y. the correctness and vigor OF the statute, '
lie result in q proper observance of 1t by all 2
III ties interested; and upon this depends
prosperity of both the corporations and
is public. In q word, taking the acts OF
\, Thirty-fourth general assembly on the 8
1ect of railroads at its two sessions asa wh
he + think it has done an excellent and co1lm
dable work for the whole people. and mad
strong and long movement in the right dll
nd tion."